Honouring our Men and Women in Uniform

November 8, 2006

It will not be difficult for Canadians of all ages to summon the yearning to honour Canada’s fallen soldiers this Remembrance Day 2006. Our 34 soldiers who died in the past year serving with the Canadian Forces mission to Afghanistan are still fresh in our minds. The sympathy for their loved ones still resonates in our hearts.

This coming Saturday, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians will gather in our largest cities and our smallest towns and villages united in a moment of silence. We will remember these brave men and the first Canadian female soldier to die in combat. And we’ll pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice before them.

It is also our opportunity to demonstrate our gratitude to the men and women who continue to fight for freedom and democracy around the world and to convey our support and compassion for their families. Although their lives are filled with constant worry, they remain dedicated to their loved ones’ efforts to bring hope and peace to the Afghan people.

Veterans’ Week began with the unveiling on Sunday of the Valiants Memorial in Ottawa, adjacent to the National War Memorial. The Valiants is a large bronze wall and 14 statues depicting individuals from critical periods of military conflict in our nation’s history. I encourage you to go to www.valiants.ca to learn more about this memorial, which is inscribed, “No day shall ever erase you from the memory of time.”

Also captivating the nation this Veterans’ Week are Canada’s three known surviving veterans from the First World War. Canadians are eager to ensure they are appropriately honoured both now and when they are no longer with us.

Currently, the Conservative Government is developing plans to mark the passing of our last surviving First World War veterans in consultation with Veterans’ organizations, the Department of National Defence and Canadian Heritage.

I feel very fortunate to have a special series of events to attend again this Remembrance Day. I’ll take part in ceremonies at the 11th hour with residents of Taylor, at the Community Hall and Cenotaph. That afternoon I’ll be at the Legion in Fort St. John. And I’ll be attending the Remembrance Day Dinner that evening at the Hudson’s Hope Community Hall. It is, as I’ve said many times before, one of my most treasured privileges as an MP to be able to participate in such events on November 11th every year.

Also coming up this Remembrance Day, I learned during a meeting with Don Cherry this week that he will air a very special tribute to the 42 Canadian soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan. The segment will be broadcast during the Remembrance Day edition of Coach’s Corner on Hockey Night in Canada on CBC-TV.

On a final note, I have a limited quantity of “Support Our Troops” vehicle magnets available to my constituents of Prince George-Peace River. Contact my office at jayhill@telus.net so you can proudly display your support for our men and women in uniform.